Ravens run over Raiders

SBI Staff

01/04/2010

The Oakland Raiders ended the 2009 season on a low note with a 21-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The win clinched a playoff berth for Baltimore while Oakland finished with 10 or more losses for the seventh consecutive year.

Baltimore opened the scoring with a 2 yard TD plunge by Willis McGahee that culminated an 8 play, 74 yard drive.

The Raiders cut the score to 7-3 after a 37 yard Sebastien Janikowski field goal, but Baltimore answered back with a 77 yard touchdown run by McGahee that featured a stiff arm that put Raider safety Hiram Eugene on the seat of his pants.

The Raiders came back with an 8 play drive that quarterback Charlie Frye finished off with a 12 yard pass that tight end Zack Miller hauled in for a touchdown, cutting the Raven lead to 14-10.

Baltimore had a chance to extend their lead before halftime but placekicker Billy Cundiff missed a 37 yard field goal after Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco was called for an illegal forward pass.

The Raiders opened the second half with Jamarcus Russell at quarterback. They managed to cut the Baltimore lead to 14-13 after a 39 yard Janikowski field goal but Baltimore closed out the scoring with a 2 yard TD plunge by McGahee that extended the Ravens' lead to 21-13.

The Raiders had opportunities but a poor performance by the offensive line left Frye on the sidelines at halftime and Russell being harrassed for most of the second half. The Ravens also crowded the line and shut down the rushing lanes, daring the Raiders to pass. This paid off in the second half as Russell, who was somewhat effective in relief of Frye, continued to have problems taking care of the ball. Russell turned the ball over twice with a fumble and an interception that the Ravens parlayed into their final touchdown.

The defense played effectively through much of the game but again gave up key long runs that led to points. The 77 yard TD run by McGahee was particulalry galling but gaping holes were blown open numerous times for both he and Ray Rice to exploit.

The Raiders now head into yet another uncertain offseason with questions about head coach Tom Cable's future, Russell's future and what moves need to be made to finally end the longest streak of double digit loss seasons in NFL history.